Summer Theatre offers free, family-friendly 'Moustache Tales' in DuPage

College of DuPage Summer Repertory Theatre will present "Moustache Tales" next month on the college's Glen Ellyn campus and area locations.

Scripted through improvisation, "Moustache Tales" highlights individuality, weaving a common, positive message throughout three vignettes inspired by audience participation, said director and theater Professor Amelia Barrett. This annual collaboration between director, designers and cast begins with a general theme, with the script evolving from improvisation.

"Mustaches define who you are and they cover some things up," she said. "You can also shape your mustache in a unique way. Our family show is a celebration of being your own person and one I am sure children and adults will enjoy."

No two shows will be the same, as audience members are invited to participate and, in some cases, give scenes their own touch, Barrett said.

"We've had children wander up on stage to join the actors and one year a grandfather volunteered and quickly became part of the show," she said. "The important thing for me is that the whole family experiences live theater and gets the positive message we're trying to convey."

Campus performances are at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 16 and 17, at the McAninch Arts Center's outdoor Lakeside Pavilion on campus, 425 Fawell Blvd., Glen Ellyn. Guests are invited to bring a blanket, chair and picnic. Concessions will be available.

Community performances include: Thursday, June 30, at COD's Early Childhood Education Center (for clients only); Friday, July 1, at the Bloomingdale Park District; Thursday, July 7, at the Wheaton Public Library; Friday, July 8, at the LaGrange Library; Saturday, July 9, at DuPage Children's Museum in Naperville and Cantigny Park in Wheaton; Wednesday, July 13, at the Winfield Public Library; Friday, July 15, at the Helen M. Plum Memorial Library in Lombard; and Saturday, July 16, at the Glen Ellyn Public Library.

Admission is free performances. For information, call the MAC Box Office at (630) 942-4000 or visit atthemac.org.